National Day of Play

Today is the National Day of Play! What a great way to get kids and parents alike up an active!

Check out the website below and then get playing!!

www.thebighelp.com

Choose My Plate

Click Here----->   http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ <-----Click here

So as many of you may know the USDA has a new program. We no longer have the basic food group pyrimaid any more. It is now a plate. But I have found that I actually really like choose my plate a little bit more. Above is the web site so that you can take a peek yourself.

On the new website they give you tips, news and media updates, what's in a catagory and the portion sizes, and more. There is even a link where you can plan a healthy meal. Check it out and tell me what you think!

Mini Chicken Pot Pies

This would be a great meal to prepare ahead of time and freeze for those days that you don't want to cook. All you would have to do is pull them out of the freezer and put them into the oven.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

1 yellow onion, diced

2 tablespoons flour

2 celery stalks, diced

3 carrots, peeled and diced

1 cup frozen peas, thawed

2 cups chicken broth

3 cups shredded chicken

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon dried basil plus additional to taste

Pizza dough crust (i.e. Pillsbury Pizza Crust dough)

1 egg yolk, whisked

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté 3 minutes. Sprinkle onion with the flour and cook 2 minutes. Add the celery, carrots, peas and chicken broth. Turn heat to medium high; cook 2 to 3 minutes, until sauce thickens. Add the chicken, salt and basil to taste; mix.
Spoon the mixture into six oven-safe ramekins, filling each to the top.
Open the can of dough and use a paring knife to cut the dough into six circles that are 1 1/2 inches bigger in diameter than the ramekins. Place one stack on each ramekin; brush with some of the egg yolk. Top with the 1/4 teaspoon of basil and coat again with egg yolk.
Cook on the top rack of oven 10 minutes. Serve.

Nutrition facts per serving:

• Servings Per Recipe 6 servings
• Calories305
• Total Fat (g)17
• Saturated Fat (g)6.5
• Carbohydrate (g)20
• Fiber (g)3
• Protein (g)20

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Candy Dish Woes...

In the Gym

Okay, so your new to the gym... no sweat! Here's some of the things that I like to do while I work out in the gym. Give these a try!

Treadmill: 10-15 min at a medium speed
Elliptical: 5 min on each side
Arm curls: 10 reps for 2 sets
Lunges: 10 reps for 1 set (on each side)

If you don't know how to do something; ask one of the gym instructors. Just remember to listen to what you body is telling you and never do more than you think you can handle. Have fun and good luck! :)

Snack Time!

It's snack time and what to eat? Try some of these delicious snack food items!

• Whole Almonds
• Tiny pretzel twists
• Low-fat string cheese
• Cinnamon Apple sauce
• Low-fat pudding
• Mixed dried fruit
• Granola bar
• Trail Mix
• Whole fruits (examples: Apples, oranges, pears...)
• Vegetables (examples: celery sticks, mini carrots...)
• Baked potato chips

These are just a few great idea's of things that you can take with you in case the munchies come along. But remember to read the labels and low-fat dairy products is always the best way to go.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask!

Lighten up your Labor Day!

It's Labor Day weekend and I know most of you are leaving to have one more summer outing. But while you are doing so there is a great chance that you might be going to some BBQ get together's. Here is a great clip from the Today Show about what you should choose while you are out and about on your Labor day weekend. Check it out and pass it on! :)


http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44264750/ns/today-today_health/t/lighten-your-labor-day-these-painless-swaps/